22 Sombreros and an ATV
So, I have heard a lot of people talking about how American San Miguel is. And I won’t deny that there is a strong American influence in San Miguel. The dreaded Starbucks will probably be open by the time we get there this summer, and you can even get a New York bagel in town. Pizza is also prevalent (and while I didn’t try it, knowing me and my obsession with it, I will ), and you can even get sushi. However, there is more to San Miguel than Starbucks and sushi and American expats. Walking down to where the classes will be held, one day, we passed a guy who had twenty two sombreros stacked on his head. Literally, one hat right on top of the other. I had seen him earlier, trying to sell the wide brimmed straw hats in the Jardin, and in the market. The market, too, is an interesting place, and featured everything from from beautiful fresh fruits and vegetables to intricate, colorful bead work sold by artisans from the surrounding areas. I also (after having left mine at the hotel for the day) bought a pair of sunglasses there for about five dollars. They have prepared food there as well, and its definitely a spot to peruse, and its definitely not an American style place.
Also, on our way from one business meeting to the next, we were startled by the sight of a man on an ATV bumping up the cobblestone hill with an infant – a very small infant – clutched to his chest. After all the controversy about ATV safety in the US this was a disturbing sight. We passed men on horseback riding into town, often laden with goods to sell. And the image of that crow, bouncing on the stick on our drive in lingers….
Basically, what I’m getting at is, while this place will have much that feels familiar, it is still very foreign….
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